Pediophobia | Fear of Dolls

What is Pediophobia?

Pediophobia is the extreme and irrational fear of dolls. This phobia, which is classed as a specific or “isolated” phobia, is closely related to automatonphobia, the fear of all inanimate “humanoid” objects or robots. Because dolls are considered children’s toys, sufferers of pediophobia are known to fear children by association.

Pediophobia is derived from the word “paidion” which Greek for “little child”.

Symptoms of Pediophobia

In children, this fear might be expressed by a lack of interest in dolls or hiding them away in a closet. In adults this phobia may show in not allowing children to play with dolls or not allowing dolls to be brought into the home.

Dolls (such as “voodoo dolls”) are associated with witch craft or evil and this association can be a factor.

Pediophobia is a specific (or “isolated”) phobia, centered on non-social key factors. Isolated phobias tend to have some previous trauma (often in childhood and often physically injurious) as a root cause; a fear of bees may stem from an injury in childhood, for instance.

Upbringing can also play a role, such as parental warnings about a direct threat (such as “snakes can bite and kill you”) which is especially notable in cases where a threat is more imminent. (An allergy to bees or peanut butter, for instance, would naturally reinforce a real medical concern.)

It is thought that genetics and hereditary factors may play a role in specific phobias, especially those related to a danger of injury. (A primal “fight or flight” reflex may be more easily triggered in those with a genetic predisposition, for instance.)

By contrast, social phobias (like a fear of body odor or touch) are less well understood, are driven by social anxiety and are broadly labeled as “social anxiety disorder”.

In all kinds of phobias, external experiences and / or reports can further reinforce or develop the fear, such as seeing a family member or friend who is affected. In extreme cases, indirect exposures can be as remote as overhearing a reference in conversation or seeing something on the news or on TV and movies.

Pediophobia, like most phobias, stems from a subconscious overprotection mechanism, and as with many phobias can also be rooted in an unresolved emotional conflict.

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